SIU investigating OPP cruiser collision on Hwy. 7 at Providence Line in Peterborough County

The province's Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a T-bone collision involving an OPP police cruiser and a car Tuesday afternoon on Hwy. 7 near Providence Line in Otonabee-South Monaghan Township.

The 46-year-old man driving the car suffered serious injuries.

Paramedics took him to Peterborough Regional Health Centre where he was transferred to an Ornge air ambulance and then airlifted to the trauma unit of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.

He was transported in critical condition, according to Ornge.

The female OPP officer driving the OPP cruiser was also taken by paramedics to Peterborough Regional Health Centre for treatment.

The car landed in the ditch in the north side, while the OPP cruiser landed in the ditch on the south side, with front end damage.

The collision happened around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

According to the SIU, the collision happened while an ambulance was heading east on Hwy. 7 toward another collision scene, with the OPP cruiser following behind the ambulance.

Vehicles had pulled over to the shoulder to allow the ambulance to pass, according to the SIU, but one of the cars pulled back into the lane after the ambulance had passed but then struck the cruiser.

Highway 7 was closed in both directions east of Peterborough for 12 hours between Highway 28/Heritage Line and Providence Line for the investigation.

Traffic was detoured around the collision scene along Highway 28, Old Norwood Road and Providence Line.

The stretch of highway reopened just before 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Three SIU investigators, two forensic investigators and one collision reconstructionist were assigned to the investigation.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about the collision to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The SIU is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to the collision to upload that video through the SIU website.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.